xt7bvq2s5156 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7bvq2s5156/data/mets.xml Rice, Cale Young, 1872-1943. 1904  books b92-272-32006999 English McClure, Phillips, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. David, King of Israel Drama. David  : a tragedy / by Cale Young Rice. text David  : a tragedy / by Cale Young Rice. 1904 2002 true xt7bvq2s5156 section xt7bvq2s5156 




















D A V I D
A TRAGEDY
     BY
CALE YOUNG RICE

 
























BY THE SAME AUTHOR



  Charles Di Tocca

 



D A V
A T R A G
           BY
   CALE YOUNG



I D
E D Y



RICE



     NEW YORK
MC CLURE, PHILLIPS &  CO.
      M C M I V

 

















Two hundred and fifty copies of this book have been
     puinted at the McClure Press of which
           this is No.



























              Copyright, 1904, by
           MCCLURE, Par-LLIS I CO.



Puh61td May, 1904. N.

 





















AFFECTIONATELY
TO MY BROTHER
LACY L. RICE

 This page in the original text is blank.

 


















ACT I

 


SAUL .
JONATHAN
ISHUI  .
SAMUEL
ABNER
DOEG .

ADRIEL
DAVID
ABISHAI
ABIATHAR
A PHILISTINE
AHINOAM
MERAB
MICHAL
MIRIAM



   CHARACTERS
 . . King of Israel.
 . . Heir to the throne.
 . . His brother.
       The Prophet of Israel.
       Captain of the Host of Israel.
       An Edomite; Chief Servant of Saul,
          and suitor for Michal.
       A lord of Meholah, suitor for Merab.
       A Shepherd, secretly anointed King.
       A follower of David.
       A Priest and follower of David.



SPY.



The Queen.



)



I.  



Daughters of Saul and Ahinoam.
A blind Prophetess, and later
  "Witch of Endor."



the



JUDITH      .
LEAH    . .
ZILLA   . .



ADAH
A Chorus t







Timbrel-players of the King.



. .  .   .. Handmaiden to Merab.
)f Women. A Band of Prophets. Followers of David.
Soldiers of Saul. People of the Court, etc.



I vi 1

 


                             DAVID

                             ACT I

     SCENE: A Hall of judgment in the palace of Saul at Gibeah.
          The walls, pillars and ceiling are of cedar richly carven with
          images of serpents, pomegranates and cherubim in gold. The
          floors are of bright marble; the throne of ivory, hbng with a
          lion's skin whose head is its footstool. On the right and left,
          doors, draped with finely woven curtains of purple and white,
          lead to other portions of tt, Ibalzce.  Seats rowara' the front.
          Lamps burn low.
          The Hall, supported on piiiars, is oben aionzg the lack, where
          a Porch, surrounding the Co,; of tMe palace, crossei. Through
          the Porch, on the environing hipls, glow the camp-.fres of the
          Philistines, the enemies of Israel.
          JfUDITH, LEAH and ZILLA           are reclining restively on
          the floor of the Hall.
JUDITH
            [Springing to herfeet impatiently.]
     O for a feast! pomegranate wine and song!
LEAH
     Oh! oh!
ZILLA
                  A feast indeed! the men in camp!

                                [ I ]

 

DAVID



    When was a laugh or any leaping here
    Never; and none to charm with timbreling!
           [ She goes to the porch.]
LEAH
    What shall we do
JUDITH
               I'll dance.
ZI LLA
                    Until you're dead.
JUDITH
    Or till a youth wed Zilla for her beauty 
    I'll not soil mine with sullen fear all day
    Because these Philistines press round. As well
    Be wenches gathering grapes or wool! Come, Leah.
           [She prepares to dance.]
LEAH
    No, Judith, I'll put henna on my nails,
    And mend mv anklet.
           [She sits t douz.]
ZILLA
           [Aft the curtains.]  Oh! oh, oh!
JUDITH
                               Now hear her!
    Who, who, now who, who is it dog, fox, devil
ZILLA
     All!
JUDITH
         Then 'tis Ishui! [Bounding to curtains.] Yes, Ishui!
     And fury in him, sallow, sour fury!
     A jackal were his mate! Come, come, we'll plague him.
                            [ 2 ]

 

DAVID



ZILLA
    And too-with David whom he hates!
JUDITH
                             Aie, David!
    A joy to rouse men up to jealousy!
LEAH
    Why hates he David, Zilla
ZILLA
                           Stupid Leah!
JUDITH
    Hush, hush, be meet and ready now; he's near.
    Look as for silly visions and for dreams!
         [They pose themselves. Ishui enters-sees them. /Iudiih sighs.]
ISHUI
    Now timbrel-gaud, why gaping here!
JUDITH
                                   O! 'tis
    Prince Ishui !
ZILLA
               Prince Ishui! Then he
    Will tell us! he will tell us!
LEAH
                           Yes!
JUDITH
                                 Of David!
    O is he come! when, where, quick, quick, and will
    He pluck us ecstasies out of his harp,
    Winning until we're wanton for him, mad,
    And sigh and laugh and weep to the moon!
ISHUI
                                 Low thing!
                             []

 

                        DAVID
    Chaff of the king!
JUDITH
               The king!  I had not thought!
    David a king! how beauteous would he be!
ISHUI
    David
JUDITH
          Turban of sapphire! robe of gold!
ISHUI
    A king  o'er Israel 
JUDITH
                   Who, who can tell!
    Have you not heard Yesterday in the camp
    Among war-old but fearful men he offered
    Kingly to meet Goliath-great Goliath!
ISHUI
    What do you say to meet Goliath
JUDITH
             [Laughing in hisface.I Aie!
             [He thrusts her from him. She goes dancing with
               Zilla and Leah.]
ADRIEL
    [Who has entered.] Ishui, in a rage
ISHUI
                         Should I not be!
ADRIEL
    Not would you be yourself.
ISHUI
               Not [Deftly.] You say well.
    I should not, no. Pardon, then, Adriel.

                          [ 4 1

 

                         DAVID
ADRIEL
    What was the offence
ISHUI
                   Turn from it.-I have not
    Bidden you here for vapours; yet they had
    Substance as well for you!
ADRIEL
                        For me
ISHUI
                              Who likes
    Laughter against him!
ADRIEL
               I was laughed at
ISHUI
                              Why,
    It is this shepherd!
ADRIEL
                   David
ISHUI
                            With his harp!
    Flinging enchantment on the palace air
    Till he impassions to him all who breathe.
ADRIEL
    What sting from that He's lovable and brave.
ISHUI
    Lovable Lovable 
ADRIEL
                     I do not see.
ISHUI
    This then: you've hither come with gifts and gold,

                          [ 5 ]

 

                         DAVID

    Dream-bringing amethyst and weft of Ind,
    To wed my sister, Merab
ADRIEL
                                  It is so.
ISHUI
    And you've the king's consent; but she denies 
ADRIEL
    As every wind, you know it.
ISHUI
                            Still denies!
    And you, lost in the maze of her, fare on
    Blindly and find no reason for it!
ADRIEL
                                       How
    What reason can be women are not clear;
    And least unto themselves.
ISHU1
                              Or to their fools.
           [He goes to curtains and draws out Adah.]
    Your mistress, Merab, girl, whom does she love
    Unclench your hands.
ADAH
                   I hate her.
ISHUT
                          Insolent!
    Answer; I am not milky Jonathan.
    Answer; and for the rest-You hear
ADAH
                              She loves
    The shepherd David!
                           [ 6]

 

DAVID



ADRIEL
                   Who, girl
ADAH
                       I care not!
    She is unkind; I will not spy for her
    On Michal, and I'll tell her secrets all!
    And David does not love her-and she raves.
ISHUI
    Off to your sleep; now off-
          [Makes to strikes her.]
ADRIEL
                                  Ishui, no.
                                              [APAH goes.]
ISHUI
    And see you now how I lovable' he is!
    I tell you that he stands athwart us all !
    The heart of Merab swung a censer to him,
    My seat at table with the king usurped!
    Mildew and mocking to the harp of Doeg,
    As it were any slave's; the while we all
    Are lepered with suspicion.
ADRIEL
                             Of the king
ISHUI
    Ah! and of Jonathan and Michal.
ADRIEL
                                     Hush.
           Enter MICHAL passing with MIRIAM.
    Michal, delay. Whom lead you
MICHAL
                                   Miriam,
                           [7 1

 

                        DAVID
    A prophetess.
ADRIEL
                   How of the king to-night
MICHAL
    He's not at rest; dreads Samuel's prophecy
    The throne shall pass from him, and darkens more
    Against this boundless Philistine Goliath
    Who dares at Israel daily on the hills,
    As we were dogs!
ADRIEL
                     Is David with him
MICHAL
                                          No;
    But he is sent for-and will ease him-Ah!
    He's wonderful to heal the king with his harp!
    A waft, a sunny leap of melody,
    And swift the hovering mad shadow's gone-
    As magic!
ISHUI
                 Michal .....Curst!
MICHAL
                                What anger's this
ISHUI
    Disdaining Doeg and his plea to dust,
    His waiting and the winning-o'er of Edom,
    You are enamoured of this David too
MICHAL
    I think my brother Ishui hath a fever.
           [She goes-calmly, with Miriam.]
ISHUI
    Now are you kindled-are you quivering,
                           [ 8 ]

 

                         DAVID
    Or must this shepherd put upon us more
ADRIEL
    But has he not dealt honorably
ISHUI
                                      No.
ADRIEL
    Why do you urge it
ISHUI
                             Why have senses. He
    With Samuel the prophet fast enshrouds
    Some secret, and has Samuel not told
    The kingdom from my father shall be rent
    And fall unto another
ADRIEL
                           You are certain
ISHUI
    As granite.
          LVoices are heard in altercation.]
                          Yonder!
ADRIEL
                         The king
ISHUI
                                   And Samuel
    With prophecy or some refusal tears him!
           [They step aside. SAuLfollo'wed by SAMUEL strides
                   in and mounts the throne.]
SAUL
    You threat, and ever thunder threatening!
    Pour seething prophesy into my veins,
    Till a simoon of madness in me moves.
                            [ 9 ]

 

DAVID



    Am I not king, the king  chosen and sealed 
    Who've been anathema and have been bane
    Unto the foes of Israel, and filled
    The earth with death of them 
    And do you still forbid that I bear gold
    And bribe away this Philistine array
    Folded about us, fettering with flame 
SAMUEL
    Yes,-yes! While there is air, and awe of Heaven
    Do I forbid! A champion must rise
    To level this Goliath. Thus may we
    Loose on them pest of panic and of fear.
SAUL
    Are forty days not dead  A champion!
    None will arise-'tis vain. And I'll not wait
    On miracle.
SAMUEL
                  Offer thy daughter then,
    Michal, thy fairest, to whoever shall.
SAUL
    Demand and drain for more ! without an end.
    Ever vexation ! No; I will not.
SAMUEL
                                     Then,
    Out of Jehovah and a vast foreseen
    I tell thee again, thou perilous proud king,
    The sceptre shall slip from thee to another!
           [He mozves to go.]
SAUL
    The sceptre....
                            [IO]

 

                        DAVID

SAMUEL
                   To another!
SAUL
                              From me! No!
    You rouse afar the billowing of ill.
    I grant-go not !-I grovel to your will,
    Fear it and fawn as to omnipotence,
          [Snatching at SAMUEL'S mantle.
    And vow to all its divination-all!
SAMUEL
    Then, Saul of Israel, the hour is near,
    When shall arise one, and Goliath fall
           [SAMUEL goes slowly out, SAUL sinks back.]
ISHUI
    Oh,-subtle!
SAUL
                    Thus he sways me.
ISHUI
                                      Subtle !-sub-le!
    And yet I must not speak; come, Adriel,
    No use of us here.
           [He makes as ifto go]
SAUL
                     Use subtle Stand!
ISHUI
    No, father, no.
SAUL
                 What mean you
ISHUI
                                  Do not ask....
    Yet how it creeps, and how!
                          LI I'1

 

                         DAVID
SAUL
                                Unveil your words.
ISHUT
    Do you not see it crawl, this serpent scheme 
    Goliath slain-the people mad with praise,
    Then fallen from you-Michal the victor's wife....
SAUL,
    Say on; say on.
ISHUI
                   Or else the champion slain-
    Fear on the people-panic-the kingdom's ruin!
SAUL
    Now do the folds slip from me.
ISHUI
                               And you see
    Ah then, if one arise If one arise 
SAUL
    Death, death! If he hath touched this prophet-if
    Merely a little moment!-
ISHUI
                          I have seen
    Your David with him.
SAUL
                 Death! if-Come here: David
ISHUI
    In secret.
SAUL
                     Say you 
ISHUI
                                Yes,
                          [ 12]

 

DAVID



SAUL
                    The folds slip further;
    To this you lead me-hatred against David!
    To this with supple envy's easy glide!
ISHUI
    I have but told-
SAUL
                        You have but builded lies,
    As ever you are building and forever.
    I'll hear no more against him-Abner-No.
           [To ABNER, who enters.]
    David, and with his harp.
ABNER
                            My lord-
SAUL
                                     Not come 
    He is not come  And never! but delays.
ABNER
    Time's yet to pass.
SAUL
                   There is not-Am I king
           [A harp is heard.]
    See you, 'tis he! 'Tis David, and he sings!
DAVID [Bravely, within]
                   Smiter of hosts,
                   Terrible Saul !
          Vile on the hills shall he laugh who boasts
                   None is among
                   Great Israel's all
          Fearless for Saul, king Saul!
                          [ 13 ]

 

                          DAVID

               [Entering with people of the palace.]
                     Aye, is there none
                     Galled of the sting,
           Will at the soul of Goliath run 
                     Wring it and up
                     To his false gods fling  .
           None for the king, the king 
        [He drops to his knee, amid praise, before the throne.]
SAUL [Darkening]
                       Forego this praise and stand
    Away from him; 'tis overmuch.
         [To DAVID]                 Why have
    You dallied and delayed 
DAVID
                                 My lord, delayed 
SAUL
    Do not smile wonder, mocking!
DAVID
                                  Why, my lord,
    I do not mock. Only the birds have wings.
    Yet on the vales behind me I have left
    Haste and a swirling wonderment of air,
    And in the torrent's troubled vein amaze,
    So swift I hurried hither at your urgence
    Out of the fields and folding the far sheep !
SAUL
    You have not; you have dallied.
            [He motions. A11 go but DAVID, whom he
               comes down toward, indeterminately.]
                                   You have dallied.
                             [ 14]

 

DAVID



DAVID
     Deep in the king I see a darkness foam
     And sheeted passion, as a lightning gust.
     Shall I not play to him 
SAUL
                               You shall not, no.
             [Slowly draws a dagger.]
     I'll not be lulled.
DAVID
                            Is it a tiger gleam,
    Terrible fury stealing from the heart
    And crouching cold within the eye of Saul
SAUL
    I'll not endure. They say that you-
DAVID
                                   They say 
    What is this ravage in you. Does the truth
    So limpid overflow in palaces 
    Never an enemy to venom it
    Am I not David, faithful, and thy friend 
SAUL
    I'll slay you, and regretless.
DAVID [Unmoving]
                                  Slay, my lord 
SAUL
    Do you not fear  and brave me to my breast!
DAVID
    Have I done wrong that I should fear the king
    Reed as I am, could he not breathe and break
    And I should be oblivion at a word!

                            [' 5s

 

                          DAVID
     But under the terror of his might have I
     Not seen his heart beat justice and beat love 
     See, even now ....!
SAUL
                          I will not listen to them!
DAVID
    To whom, my lord, and what
SAUL
                                  Ever they say,
    "This David," and "1 this David !"
DAVID
                                 Ah, my harp!
SAU L
    But think you, David, I shall lose the kingdom
DAVID [Starting]
    My lord....!
SAUL
         Pain in your eyes you think it  Deem
    I cannot overleap this destiny 
DAVID
    To that let us not verge; it has but ill.
    Deeper the future gulf is for our fears.
    Forget it. Forget the brink may ever gape,
    And wield the throne so well that God himself
    Must not unking you, more than he would cry
    The morning star from Heaven! Then, I swear it,
    None else will!
SAUL
               Swear 
DAVID
                      Nay, nay!
                           [ i6]

 

DAVID



SAUL
                          You swear 
DAVID
                                But words,
    Foolishly from the heart; a shepherd speech
    Give them no mood; but see, see yonder fires
    Camping upon the peace of Israel,
    As we were carrion beneath the sun!
    Let us conceive annihilation on them,
    Hurricane rush and deluging and ruin.
SAUL
    Ah, but the prophecy ! the prophecy!
    It eats in me the food of rest and ease.
    And David, nearer: Samuel in my stead
    Another hath anointed.
DAVID
                               Saul, not this!
    This should not fall to me, my lord; no more!
    You cannot understand; it pains beyond
    All duty and enduring!
SAUL
                             Pains beyond .... 
    Who is he know you of him do you know you,
    You sup the confidence of Samuel 
    I'll search from Nile to Nineveh-
DAVID
                                       My lord!
SAUL
     Mountain and desert, wilderness and sea,
     Under and over, search-and find.
                            [ 17]

 

                        DAVID
DAVID
                               Peace, peace!
              Enter MICHAL joyously.
MICHAL
    O father, father ! David ! Listen !-Why,
    All here is dark and quivering as pain,
    And a foreboding binds me ere I breathe!
    David, you have not been as sun to him!
DAVID
    But Michal will be now.
SAUL
                            Child, well, what then 
MICHAL
    Father, a secret ! Oh, and it will make
    Dawn and delight in you!
SAUL
                            Perhaps; then, well 
MICHAL
    Oh, I have heard. ...
SAUL
               Have heard -Why do you pale 
             [She stands unaccountably moved.]
    Now are you Baal-bit 
DAVID
                      Michal!
MICHAL [In terror.]
                          David! . . . the dread.
    What does it mean  I cannot speak ! It shrinks
    Shivering down upon my heart in awe!
DAVID
    So piteous are you  suddenly so numb 
                          [ 18]

 


                        DAVID
    And you are faint  let it rush from your lips!
    Can any moving in the world so bring
    Terror upon you ! Speak, what is it 
MICHAL
                                        Ah!
    I know not; danger rising and its wing
    Sudden against my lips
DAVID
                            To warn
MICHAL
                                      It shall not!
    There-now again flows joy; I think it flows.
SAUL
    Then-you have heard . .
MICHAL
                                 Yes, father, yes! Have you
    Not much desired discovery of whom
    Samuel hath anointed 
SAUL
                            Well 
MICHAL
                                      I've found
             [DAVID blenches.]
    Almost have found! A prophetess to-day
    Hath told me that he is a-
           [She stops in realizing horror.]
SAUL
                              Now you cease 
    Sudden and senseless!
MICHAL
                        David -No!

                          [' 9]

 

                         DAVID

SAUL
                                          God! God!
    Have I not bidden swiftly! Ever then
    Vexation ! I could-No.   Will she not speak
MICHAL
    I cannot.
SAUL
                    Cannot! Are you flesh of me!
DAVID
    My lord, not anger ! Hear me . . .
SAUL
                             Cannot
DAVID
                                        Hear
    Her lips could never seal upon a wrong.
    Sudden divinity is on them, silence
    Sent for the benison of Israel,
    Else were it shattered by her love to you!
    Believe ! in all the riven realm of duty
    There's no obedience from thee she would hold.
    If it seem other-
                                     Enter A B N ER hurriedly.
ABNER
                Pardon, 0 king. At once!
SAUL
    I will not. Do you come with vexing too 
ABNER
    The Philistines-some fury is afoot.
    A spy within our gates and scorns to speak.
SAUL
    Conspiracy of silence! . . . Back to him.
                                              [ABNER goes.]
                            [20]

 

                         DAVID
    [To DAVID and MICHAL.] But you-I'll not forget.
      I'll not forget.
                                              [SAUL goes.]
DAVID
    Forget! anointing ! peril ! what are they all
    Michal -for me you have done this, for me 
             [She stands immovable.]
    I am swung with joy, as palms of Abila!
             [Goe: to her.]
    A princess, you, and the veins of you live warm
    With sympathy and love unto your father,
    Yet you have shielded me
MICHAL
                        You are the anointed
DAVID
    I am-oh do not flint your loveliness !-
    I am the anointed,but all innocent
    In will or hope of any envious wrong
    As lily blowing of blasphemy ! as dew
    Upon it is of enmity
MICHAL
                                 Anointed!
    You whom the king uplifted from the fields
DAVID
    And who am ever faithful to him
MICHAL
                                       You,
    Whom Jonathan loves more than women love!
DAVID
    Yet reaches not my love to Jonathan
                           [21 ]

 

DAVID



MICHAL
     You-you!
DAVID
                   But, hear me
MICHAL
                             You, of all!
DAVID
                                              0 hear!
    Of my anointing Jonathan is 'ware,
    Knows it is holy, helpless, innocent
    As dawn or a drift of dreaming in the night!
    Knows it unsought-outof the skies supernal-
    From the inspirdd cruse of Samuel!
    For Israel it dripped upon me, and
    For Israel must drip until I die !
    Or till high Gath and Askalon are blown
    Dust on the wind, and all Philistia
    Lie peopleless and still under the stars
    Goliath, then, a laughter evermore! ...
    Still, still you shrink ! do you not see, not feel
MICHAL
    So have you breathed yourself about my heart,
    Even as moon-lit incense, spirit flame
    Burning away all barrier!
DAVID
                           But see!
MICHAL
    And all the world has streamed a rapture in,
    Till even now my lids from anger falter
    And the dew falls!
                            [22]

 

DAVID



DAV ID
                           Restrain! 0 do notweep!
    Upon my heart each tear were as a sea
    Flooding it from all duty but the course
    Of thy delight!
MICHAL
                  Poor, that I should have tears!
    Fury were better, tempest! 0 weak eyes,
    When 'tis my father, and with Samuel
    You creep to steal his kingdom!
DAVID
                             Michal! . .. God!
MICHAL
    Yes, steal it!
DAVID
                      Cruel! fell accusal! Yes,
    Utterly false and full of wounding!
           [Struggling, then with control.] Yet,
    Forgive that even when thy arrows drive
    Deeper than all the skill of time can draw,
    I spare thee not the furrowed face of pain....
    Delirious wings of hope that fluttered up,
    At last to fall!
                 [Moves to go.]
MICHAL
                      David !
DAVID
                          Farewell!
MICHAL
                           . You must not!

                           [ 23 1

 

DAVID



DAVID
    Peace to you-peace and joy!
MICHAL
                                    You must not go !
           [He turns. She sways, then reaches out her
             arms. As irresistih/y they mov e toward each
             other, DOEG and MERAB appear through
             the curtains. MICHAL utters a low cry.
             They vcanish.]
MICHAL
    [In numh ajb-ight] Merab and Doeg!
DAVID
                                   Yet what matter, now!
    Were it the driven night-unshrouded dead!
    Under the firmament is but one need,
    That you will understand!
MICHAL
                                 ButMerab! ah,
    She's cunning, cold and cruel,and she loves thee
    Hath told her love to Ahinoam the queen!
    And Doeg hates thee-since for me he's mad!
DAVID
    Be it, his hate, as wild, as wide as winds
    That gather up the desert for their blast,
    Be it as Sheol deep, stronger than stars
    That fling fate on us, and I care not, care not,
    If I am trusted and to Michal truth!
    Hear, hear me ! for the kingdom, tho 't may come,
    I yearn not, but for you
MICHAL
                             No, no !
                           [24]

 

                         DAVID

DAVID
                                         For you!
    Since I a shepherd o'er a wild of hills
    First beheld you the daughter of the king
    Amid his servants, leaning, still with noon,
    Beautiful under a tamarisk, until
    All beauty else is dead-
MICHAL
                            Ah cease
DAVID
                                          Since then,
    I have been wonder ecstasy and dream
    The molded light and fragrant miracle,
    Body of you and soul, lifted me till
    When you departed-
MICHAL
                                No, you rend me!
DAVID

    Fell thro' infinity of void!
MICHAL
                                     No more!
DAVID
    Then came the prophet Samuel with anointing
    My hope sprung as the sun
MICHAL
                                     I must not hear
DAVID
    Then was I called to play before the king.
    Here in this hall where cherubim shine out,
    Where the night silence-

                          [ 25 ]

 


DAVID



MICHAL
                              David!
DAVID
                                    Strung me tense,
    I waited, shepherd-timid, and you came,
    You for the king to try my skill ! you, you
MICHAL
    Leave me, ah leave !I yield
DAVID
                                     And often since
    Have we not swayed and swept thro' happy hours,
    Far from the birth unto the bourne of bliss 
MICHAL
    And I-
DAVID
             To-night you did not to the king
    Reveal my helpless chrism, give me to peril.
    Say but the reason
MICHAL
                      David
DAVID
                              Speak, 0 speak
MICHAL
    And shall I, shall I  how this prophetess
    Miriam hath foretold-
DAVID
                                Some wonder speak
MICHAL [Springing up the throne.] Hath told I shall
               be queen of Israel!
                          [ 26 ]

 

DAVID



DAVID
    Michal, the queen  the queen ! We two are then
    Yoked of eternity unto this end !
MICHAL [Shrinking down.]     No, no! horror in me
          moans out against it !
    Wed me with destiny against my father 
    Dethrone my mother Ah!
DAVID
                             Not that-no wrong!
MICHAL
    Then swear conspiracy upon its tide
    Never shall lift you
DAVID
                             Deeper than soul or sea,
    Deep as divinity is deep, I swear.
    If it shall come, the kingdom-
MICHAL
                                  I f! " not "1 if."
    Surrender this anointing! Spurn it, say
    You never will be king though Israel
    Kingless go mad for it
DAVID
                                 I cannot.
MICHAL
                                         Guile!
DAVID
    I cannot-and I must not. It is holy
MICHAL
    Then must I hate you-scorn you-
DAVID
                                    Michal!
                          [27 ]

 

                          DAVID

MICHAL
                                          And will.
    But to reign over Israel you care,
    Not for the peace of it I
DAVID
                                      Thus all is vain
    A seething on the lips, I'll say no more . . .
    Care but to reign and not for Israel's calm 
    I who am wounded with her every wound  . . .
    Look out upon yon Philistine bold fires
    Lapping the night with bloody tongue-look out!
         [A commotion is heard within.]
    As God has swung the world and hung forever
    The infinite in awe, to-morrow night
    Not one of them shall burn!
MICHAL
                        You pall me!
DAVID
                                         None!
MICHAL
    What is this strength! It seizes on me! No,
    I'll not believe, no, no, more than I would
    From a boy's breath or the mere sling you wear
    A multitude should flee! And you shall learn
    A daughter to a father may be true
    Tho paleness be her doom until she die!
          [She turns to go. Enter JONATHAN eagerly.]
JONATHAN
    David!
                            [28]

 

                        DAVID
DAVID
            My friend-my Jonathan! 'Tis you 
         [They embrace. MICHAL goes.]
JONATHAN
    Great heart, I've heard how yesterday before
    The soldiers you . . . But Michal gone No word 
DAVID
    The anointing.
JONATHAN
                 Ah, she knows
DAVID
                                All.
JONATHAN
                                    And disdains
    Believing tell me.
DAVID
                        No, not now-not now.
    Let me forget it in a leap of deeds.
            [The commotion sounds again.]
    And all this murmur misty of distress,
    What is it sprung of the Philistines new terror
    This sounding giant flings again his foam 
    Jonathan, I am flame that will not wait,
    What is it  I must strike.
JONATHAN
                   David ....
DAVID
                               Tell me,
    And do not bring dissuasion more, or pause.
JONATHAN
    The king comes here.
                          [ 29]

 


                        DAVID

DAVID
                        Now 
J ONATHAN
                            With a spy who keeps
    Fiercely to silence.
DAVID
                          Then is peril up
    Jonathan-!
JONATHAN
                  David, you must cool from this.
    Determination surges you o'erfar.
    I will not see you rush on perishing,
    Not though it be the aid of Israel.
DAVID
    I must.... I will not let them ever throng,
    Staining the hills, and starving us from peace.
    Rather the last ray living in me, rather
    Death and the desecration of the worm.
    Bid me not back with love, nor plea; I must!
JONATHAN
    But think-
DAVID
                I must.
JONATHAN
                           'Twere futile
DAVID
                                Hear; the king I
JONATHAN
    The madness of it I
DAVID
                         No, and see; they come.
                         [ 30]

 

DAVID



JONATHAN
     Strangely my father is unstrung.
DAVID
                                  They come.
           Enter SAUL with SAMUEL; Soldiers with the
              spy; AHINOAM with ABNER; and all the
              court in suppressed dread.
SAUL
     [To SAMUEL] He will not speak, but scorns me,
       and his lips
    Bitterly curve and grapple. But he shall
    Learn there is torture to it ! Set him forth.
           [The spy is thrust forward.]
    Tighten his bonds up till he moan.
           [It is done.]
                                       Aye, gasp,
    Accursed Philistine ! Now wilt thou tell
    The plan and passion of thy people 'gainst us 
SPY
    Baal!
SAUL
    Tighten the torture more  ....  Now will you
SPY [In agony.]
                                               Yea!
SAUL
    On, then, reveal.
S